1 Samuel 26 3

1 Samuel 26:3 kjv

And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

1 Samuel 26:3 nkjv

And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

1 Samuel 26:3 niv

Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there,

1 Samuel 26:3 esv

And Saul encamped on the hill of Hachilah, which is beside the road on the east of Jeshimon. But David remained in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness,

1 Samuel 26:3 nlt

Saul camped along the road beside the hill of Hakilah, near Jeshimon, where David was hiding. When David learned that Saul had come after him into the wilderness,

1 Samuel 26 verses

1 Samuel 26 3 Meaning

1 Samuel 26:3 sets the scene for David's second opportunity to spare Saul's life, showing Saul's relentless and desperate pursuit of David. Saul, still driven by jealousy and fear, positioned his significant military force in a strategic location – on a known hill in the arid wilderness near a major pathway. This verse underscores the precise nature of Saul's hunt and the dire situation David was in, as his persecutor meticulously tracked him even into the desolate regions of Judah.

1 Samuel 26 3 Context

1 Samuel chapter 26 recounts the second instance where David, unjustly persecuted by Saul, had the opportunity to take Saul's life but refused to do so. This chapter opens with the Ziphites once again betraying David's hiding place to Saul, reiterating their previous act in chapter 23. Verse 3 precisely details the specific location where Saul set up his substantial military camp with 3,000 elite soldiers (v. 2). This immediate geographical setting is crucial because it leads directly to David's bold night raid into Saul's encampment, culminating in his remarkable act of sparing Saul's life, thus reinforcing David's profound respect for God's anointed king, despite Saul's unwavering animosity. Historically, Saul's pursuit reflects his declining spiritual state, marked by deep paranoia and jealousy stemming from God's rejection of his kingship and the Spirit's departure from him (1 Sam 16:14). His relentless hunt for David signifies a king wasting national resources and endangering the nation for a personal vendetta against God's chosen successor. The wilderness of Ziph was known for its rugged and desolate terrain, making it a fitting but difficult place for hideouts and intense pursuit.

1 Samuel 26 3 Word analysis

• And Saul pitched: The Hebrew word is wayyiḥan (וַיַּחַן), from the root ḥanah (חָנָה), meaning "to encamp, to pitch camp." This denotes a deliberate, military-style setup of forces, implying Saul's aggressive and strategic intent in tracking David. It's not a casual stop but a tactical establishment of a base.

• in the hill: The Hebrew bagiv'ah (בַּגִּבְעָה) uses giv'ah (גִּבְעָה), meaning "hill" or "height." A hill provides a natural advantage for observation and defense. The definite article "the" suggests this was a specific, known geographical feature.

• of Hachilah: The Hebrew Haḥakhilah (הַחֲכִילָה) is a proper noun, a specific hill near Ziph. The definite article 'Ha' indicates "the," meaning 'the Hachilah' or 'this known Hachilah.' It is likely derived from khahil (כָּהִל) which suggests 'dark' or 'desolate.' This repetition from 1 Sam 23:19 underscores Saul's persistent hunting in David's known hiding territories.

• which is before Jeshimon: The Hebrew phrase is asher ‘al pnei Yeshimon (אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הַיְשִׁימוֹן).

  • Yeshimon (יְשִׁימוֹן) translates to "the desert," "the wasteland," or "the desolate region." This refers to the vast and barren wilderness of Judah, bordering the Dead Sea. It emphasizes the harsh and remote environment where the pursuit was taking place.
  • ‘al pnei (עַל־פְּנֵי) literally means "upon the face of," commonly rendered "before," "in front of," or "by" / "towards." In this context, it implies located immediately adjacent to or at the very edge of the wilderness, or facing its expanse.

• by the way: The Hebrew is ‘al yad derekh (עַל יַד הַדֶּרֶךְ).

  • Derekh (דֶּרֶךְ) means "way," "road," or "path." The definite article implies a well-trodden or main path.
  • ‘al yad (עַל יַד) literally means "by the hand of," translating to "beside" or "alongside."
  • This indicates that Saul's camp was strategically positioned beside a common route, perhaps a main thoroughfare through the wilderness or a crucial access road, allowing control over movement and egress, or indicating a calculated approach.

• "And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah": This phrase highlights Saul's aggressive, military action. It speaks of a determined hunt, not merely a chance encounter. The mention of Hachilah immediately evokes its prior appearance as a place where the Ziphites betrayed David, showcasing Saul's relentless, almost obsessive, pursuit in known areas of David's refuge.

• "which is before Jeshimon, by the way": These geographical markers define the location with precision. The combination of the "hill," the "desolate region" (Jeshimon), and "the way" implies a highly strategic and often desolate location, making it difficult for David to evade, suggesting Saul sought to corner or block David. The wild, unpopulated terrain also points to the extent Saul would go to eliminate David, pursuing him even into the harshest environments. This desolate area can also be seen as symbolic of Saul's own spiritual desolation.

1 Samuel 26 3 Bonus section

The repeated mentioning of the hill of Hachilah (compare 1 Sam 23:19-24 and 1 Sam 26:1-3) indicates a pattern of treachery by the Ziphites who repeatedly inform Saul of David's whereabouts. This suggests the political and social climate of Israel, where Saul's paranoid authority influenced even civilian allegiance, turning neighbors against God's anointed. The wilderness of Jeshimon itself is more than just geography; it's a symbolic backdrop for spiritual testing and reliance on God. Just as Israel was refined in the wilderness before entering the promised land, David's time in the desolate regions, constantly depending on God for survival and deliverance from Saul, forged his character as a king after God's own heart. Saul, camping in such a wild region to hunt David, highlights the contrast: one seeking to kill in the desolation, the other finding refuge and refining in the very same desolate place, relying on divine protection.

1 Samuel 26 3 Commentary

1 Samuel 26:3 meticulously sets the stage for a critical encounter in the wilderness, underlining Saul's unyielding determination to apprehend David. His strategic positioning on the hill of Hachilah with 3,000 men reveals not only his obsession but also the sheer magnitude of resources dedicated to this personal vendetta. This pursuit, while seemingly futile in its outcome due to divine protection over David, exemplifies a king spiraling into deeper spiritual darkness. The geographic specificity, referencing Jeshimon, a barren wasteland, underscores the desperation and isolation of David's life as a fugitive, hunted relentlessly. Yet, it is within this context of immense pressure and earthly power chasing divine purpose that David's character truly shines. By pinpointing Saul's exact location "by the way," the narrative implies both strategic intent (blocking paths) and Saul's misplaced focus. Instead of leading Israel against their actual enemies, Saul directs the nation's military might towards eradicating God's anointed, showcasing a tragic inversion of leadership and an embodiment of spiritual decay.